ANTHEA
ROSSOUW
Anthea
Roussouw has taken literally Nelson Mandela’s exhortation to
re-build South Africa and create a “better life for all”.
Giving
particular attention to the empowerment of women, she utilizes tourism
as a means of economic upliftment of local communities. As a
generator of foreign income in South Africa, tourism ranks fourth;
in some areas it is second only to agriculture.
Emphasizing the economic advantages of tourism implies extensive community
work and liaison. South African tourism initiatives must be developed
by the community for the advantage of the community, who therefore take
responsibility for their own development and progress. It is through
Anthea’s efforts that a previously destitute community, in a forgotten
fishing village has become one of the premier eco-tourism destinations
in South Africa.
Called “Dreamcatcher” by the people, she has portrayed incredible
insight and commitment, at a time when there was no available expertise,
in re-developing disadvantaged communities through tourism. Hundreds
of permanent jobs have been created in one community alone.
Anthea
has been active in the re-development of various underdeveloped communities
in South Africa, using tourism as the stimulator of local economic
development, investment and job creation.
The
model of this practice has been proclaimed a blueprint for the reconstruction
and development
of marginalised townships in post-apartheid South Africa. It has
recently received the Nelson Mandela Masakhane prize for excellence in
socio-economic advancement.
Anthea has also designed a community based care program for senior citizens
built on educating the communities that retired persons can contribute
their knowledge and skills to assist looking after each other and those
less fortunate. This is done by recruiting many volunteers, effectively
putting the senior citizen back into the community with dignity. A
similar model is in place for the disabled.
Anthea has recently stepped down as Director on the National and Provincial
Tourism Boards,
where
she worked tirelessly to ensure availability of funds to market
South Africa and to
Her Tourism Marketing Practice, Dreamcatcher, is re-writing travel itineraries to South Africa, offering more than a bus window experience, thus ensuring that tourism works where the communities live.
Anthea also conducts workshops, and is a motivational speaker for community and tourism stakeholders throughout South Africa, enabling them to replicate her successes in Stilbaai, and various other communities.
Throughout her work Anthea has encouraged her fellow citizens to strive for equality and a greater role in society, particularly striving to uplift and empower women. Her model for the economic uplifting of local communities through tourism is a blueprint for the rest of South Africa.